Chapter 743

"I don't want to drag this out for too long." Tierra's smile gradually faded. "I don't want to drag this out for too long. So every stage of the process must be accelerated, and accelerating it means that certain useless rules are bound to be broken."

"It sounds as though those children had no choice from the moment they were born," Dumbledore said. "Or rather, their entire lives are tools. They were born because their parents needed reduced sentences, not because of love. Their childhoods came from others' pity, not love. Their education and growth are driven by your need to increase the wizarding population, not love either."

"They will learn to love, Mr. Dumbledore," Tierra said. "They may not receive wholly selfless love from their parents, but they will love this society, love our cause, and love this era-defining transformation."

"Then they are still tools," Dumbledore said.

"But they are also an opportunity," Tierra said. "No generation of wizards—or rather, very few generations of wizards—has been born into an age when a Divine Being wholeheartedly shared his knowledge."

"Born into an age when a Divine Being wholeheartedly wished to resolve the conflict between wizards and Muggles," Tierra said. "I have shown them hope—the hope that they need no longer hide. Our race must eventually step out into the open, into the light, and cooperate with Muggles. Only then will humanity become whole."

"Tierra, you... you have considered the bigger picture. But have you considered the individual? Certainly, they are great as individuals, but..." Dumbledore said gently, "but I do not believe we can ignore those supposedly useless rules and important values simply because of opportunity."

Dumbledore continued, "We cannot merely see that this world needs reform and progress while overlooking the importance of love and care. Children need more